...* Global Warming: Fact or Fiction Victoria Rock AIU Online BUSN300-1202A-15 Abstract This report will explore the topic of Global Warming in terms of fact or fiction surrounding the impact on the environment worldwide. The purpose of this report is to inform members of Congress about the two opposing viewpoints on this matter. * I. Background of Global Warming A. Impetus for the subject 1. Arguments for the topic 2. Arguments against the topic II. Discussion A. Melting Glaciers B. Unpredictable Weather III. Conclusion I. Background of Global Warming One of the most debated topics on Earth is the issue of climate change or Global Warming. Global Warming fist became a concern in the 19th century when the industrialized revolution first began. Scientist believe that the increase use of fossil fuels and deforestation has caused greenhouse gases, which in turn has affected our climate temperatures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a national climatic data center, and the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) are central to answering some of the most pressing global change questions that remain unresolved. A New York Times reporter said, “Global warming has become perhaps the most complicated issue facing world leaders [ (Global Warming & Climate Change, 2012) ]” The Natural Resources Defense Council says, “Climate change is the single biggest environmental and...
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...Outline for Climate Change Introduction: Why does climate change matter? Biochemically speaking, why is temperature so important? Temperature is critical to biochemical reactions, because it determines the effectiveness of the enzymes controlling the reactions. What is an ectotherm? ectotherms, organisms whose body temperature depends on the surrounding environment. What is the connection between performance and temperature in ectotherms? For these organisms, how fast they grow,1 how quickly they move,2,3 and almost everything else about their behavior and functioning is affected by external temperatures. What is the Goldilocks principle? And to what can it be applied when it comes to temperature? Goldilocks principle when the temperature is just right, enzyme activity is maximized. It is the optimum temperature, where an enzyme or things work at its best. Can be applied to enzymes, performance, population growth rates. How does temperature relate to species richness? As temperature increases the species richness (the number of species in a given area) increases So, what’s the big deal? many biological processes exhibit the same basic hump-shaped relationship with temperature, in which temperatures that are too low or too high impair or sometimes even terminate critical biological processes.1This is why climate change is the focus of so much scientific research. Part 1: Detecting climate change What is the difference between weather and climate? How is this...
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...“There has been consensus among scientists for years that global warming is a serious problem and that it is caused by human activity” (“Global Warming Solutions A Basics.”, n.d.).I am here to tell you, global warming is a real and serious threat. With the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere the land and ocean temperatures have increased. Over the last 25 years, 11 of the 12 warmest years on record have occurred in the past 12 years. Something needs to be done to change this trend. This is where each and every one of us comes in. You might not think things in your everyday life have an effect on global warming but you are wrong. Here in the Midwest, we are at the center of our global warming problems and can be at the center of our solutions (“Global Warming Solutions A Basics.”, n.d.). Just making relatively small changes in your homes can make a huge impact on global warming if everyone makes similar changes. A new heating and cooling system is one of the biggest upfront costs for a green change, but it has the biggest return as well; in the form of money saved and lessening pollution. “As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills” (“Heat & Cool Efficiently,” n.d.). Which is why you should start with this change. Although simply replacing your system all together could be the most cost effective...
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...1. Is feed an opportunity? Based on this case, I think feed is an opportunity. First of all, when Shane worked in Laurence Candle Company, he found out that “ new brand of customer was willing to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products” (Bygrave & Zacharakis, 2010). Secondly, clean technologies, especially around combating global warming became an explosive upward investment trend. One reason is large price increases in gas and other fossil fuels. The other one is the raised awareness of global warming by prominent figures. Furthermore, this crisis of global warming also bring new opportunities for new jobs and new profits, building clean engines, harness the sun and the wind, stopping wasting energy, and using our planet’s plentiful coal resources without heating the planet. More precious thing is “ the climate crisis also offer us the chance to experience what very few generations in history have had the privilege of knowing a lot of things according to Bygrave & Zacharakis (2010). More and more customers and public are expecting companies to be more eco-friendly which makes it a big opportunity. On the other hand, “ with the wealth of interest by angel inventors and venture capitalists alike, many new companies have hit the ground running and have found success” (Bygrave & Zacharakis, 2010). Except those environment reasons, here hits the FEED in details. FEED combine composting technology and waste conversion technology together, which raw materials...
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...Global Warming: Challenging the “Settled” Science In December of 1997, political leaders gathered in Kyoto, Japan to contemplate a world treaty restricting human production of “greenhouse gases,” in particular carbon dioxide (CO2). They worried that CO2 would result in a severe and sudden increase in earth’s temperatures, leading to environmental disasters on a global scale. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the preeminent body for the assessment of climate change, humans are responsible for the majority of global warming since 1900, including virtually 100% of the warming since 1970 (IPCC, 2007b, p. 39). In the years since Kyoto, there have been major efforts to bring about worldwide agreement to the treaty, including a recent climate summit—much publicized for its failings—held in Copenhagen. But not everyone is going along with the IPCC. Despite a continuing maelstrom of media hype and alarmist politics, the idea that the earth is warming at an unprecedented rate, due primarily to human influence, is quickly losing ground. This global warming backlash is due in large part to a growing chorus of skeptics and climate experts willing to challenge the prevailing science at the core of the movement. Over 31,000 scientists, including over 9,000 PhDs, have raised concerns over the IPCC’s findings. They have signed a petition stating that the organization’s claims are extreme, that the climate system is more complex than what is now known, and...
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...CLIMATE CHANGING AND THE EFFECT IT HAS ON YOU Dijonne King PSC 140 December 1, 2013 Climate change is the climate patterns attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels. Climate change has recently become a huge issue here on Earth. The use of fossil fuels has largely affected the world as we see it today. Temperatures are rising, snow and rainfall patterns are shifting and extreme climate events such as heavy rainstorms and record high temperatures are highly affecting our environment. Through evidence of this climate change, scientists have come to realize the causes and effects of climate change. Through learning about what creates climate change, learning how climate change impacts you, and taking action, I believe climate change can definitely have a positive impact on everyone. Through scientific evident it is clear that climate change has affected the planet Earth as we know it. Most of these climate changes are attributed to very small variations in Earth’s orbit that change the amount of solar energy our planet receives. The average temperature at the surface of the Earth has been increasing over the past century, mostly due to human activities. Warmer surface temperatures lead to increasing evaporation from the ocean and land, leading to an increase in global precipitation. Scientific studies have shown that extreme weather is more likely to become more intense with time. Human activities are...
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...CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE FACTORS INFLUENCING THE GLOBAL HEAT BUDGET - 40 MARKS The global heat budget is the balance between incoming insolation, and outgoing radiation from Earth. There are many factors that influence this heat budget, some of which are more important than others. In this essay I am going to describe and explain each factor involved. Insolation is the incoming energy from the sun in shortwave ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The distribution of insolation over the Earth’s surface is complicated; however there are patterns to be seen. Insolation has numerous aspects to it that each affects it in turn, which are divided into three categories of long term, short term and local. Quite possibly the most important aspect is latitude, a long term factor. The effect of latitude on the heat budget can be seen all over the globe, but the most striking examples are that the annual amount of insolation in the Arctic region, located 66° north of the equator, is 75 W/m2 however it is 275 W/m2 in Egypt, located 26° north of the equator. Latitude holds such a large effect on insolation because a variation in latitude means variations in the altitude of the sun. Altitude of the sun affects insolation because as the angle of the sun in the sky decreases and becomes more oblique, the land area to be heated up by the rays and the depth of atmosphere they must travel through increase. Therefore the amount of insolation lost through absorption, scattering and reflection increases....
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...Global Warming Global warming is the greatest challenge facing our planet. It is, in fact, the increase in the temperature of the earth’s neon- surface air. It is one of the most current and widely discussed factors. It has far-reaching impact on biodiversity and climatic conditions of the planet. Several current trends clearly demonstrate that global warming is directly impacting on rising sea levels, the melting of ice caps and significant worldwide climate changes. But, what is causing the Global Warming? Can be the Global Warming stop or is too late? In short, global warming represents a fundamental threat to all living things on earth. The effects of global warming create a growing danger for the ecosystem we live in by damaging the environment as deforestation, contamination and something very simple as driving. It is a matter of time to see that we do not have a too much time because we are killing the earth with us inside. Firstly, one of the first causes of Global Warming that is being discussed is the ingress of the world population. The estimation of the world population is the seven billion people by The United States Census Bureau on March 12, 2012. Global average temperature rose significantly during the past century. The prevailing scientific view is that most of the temperature increases since mid-20th century has been caused by increases in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations produced by human activity. Most scientists agree that planet’s temperature has...
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...environment is global warming. Global warming has become a problem around the world; it is caused by CO2 emissions and other gases in the atmosphere that cause the sun’s thermal energy to be absorbed, otherwise known as the greenhouse effect. Studies have shown that at least 20% of ice on Earth has melted since 1979. Although it may not sound so bad, every year we deplete the natural ice on Earth by using CO2-emitting machines such as vehicles, factories, and other heavy machinery. The depleting may accelerate until all naturally-made ice caps and glaciers are gone. Ocean levels will rise sky-high from the melted ice. Global warming is also causing change in both wind and ocean currents. The ocean currents have changed so dramatically scientists believe anymore change may cause catastrophic waves, not to mention the change in the flow of things. The wind’s change in direction may cause high-speed winds, and horrendous tornadoes. A mixture of the two would cause weather worse than Hurricane Katrina. Despite disagreements on this subject, studies have shown that this could possibly happen if we keep going the way we are. Of course, in 1972, scientists were afraid another ice age would happen because the temperature was going down half a degree between 1945 and 1968. Then, the temperature started rising. This shows that it may or may not happen. But from past references, global warming may not happen. To summarize, an issue in the world today is global warming. There have been...
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...Urban areas planning for climate change Climate change changes the world’s weather patterns so not only do cities need to focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions but to also adapt to future climate change and extremes of weather such as flooding and drought. I will be focusing on how the city of London in England is planning for climate change. 1. Greening London The government aims to increase the number of open and green spaces in London which not only improves the look and feel of the city, making it more attractive whilst reducing the impact of noise and air pollution. Greening London also makes the city more resilient to flooding and extreme weather events, and can contribute to a healthy mind and body. The Mayor aims to increase tree cover by five per cent by 2025, therefore achieving one tree for every Londoner and creating a better network of interlinked, multi-functional and high quality open and green spaces. 2. Cleaner air for London Air pollution is a serious health issue which damages the natural and built environment. Actions being taken to improve air quality include introducing the first ever age limit for black cabs tougher standards for the Low Emission Zone, new cleaner hybrid and hydrogen buses and fitting older buses with equipment including filters to curb pollution. The new bus for London, which will be launched in 2012, will use the latest green technology making it 40 per cent more efficient than a conventional double decker. The Mayor is...
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...Green HR: The Ultimate Change Management Tool for Sustainability Green HRM involves the use of HRM policies to promote the sustainable use of resources within business organizations and, more generally, promote the cause of environmentalism. Green initiatives within HRM are increasing as a result of mounting concern over global warming and the adverse effect of much business activity on the natural environment. The kinds of action taken within green HRM initiatives includes:- 1. Educating employees about climate change and other environmental issues 2. Reduce commuting - promoting and incentivizing more sustainable means of travel to work (e.g. car sharing or Ride Sharing or Car Pooling, Bicycle to work, public transport) 3. Auditing employee benefits to eliminate those that are environmentally damaging (e.g. unnecessary provision of a high powered company car). 4. Job Sharing 5. Reducing business travel - Using the internet or teleconferencing to cut down on business travel 6. Recycling 7. Going paperless - Encourage e-mailing 8. Some green HRM initiatives also make use of employee volunteering to support environmental charities and projects and to develop green initiatives at work. 9. Conducting an energy audit 10. Buying green - buying recycled, refurbished, or used products. Many companies currently have the following green programs in place: SoftChoice from Canada. SoftChoice has a public transportation policy. If...
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...January 22, 2013. Global warming is a threat to mankind and its existence; although we are yet to see or feel the effects. However, understanding the cause, and implementing measures to save the planet are of dire urgency otherwise, the impact will be imminent in the near future. In approximately 1,000 years ahead due to rapid growth in the world’s population, and Man’s ever-growing chemical technologies, the impact of global warming is predictable. Global warming can be defined as the gradual increase of the earth’s atmospheric temperature due to the release of carbon dioxide, methane gas, fossil fuels, and other toxic chemical emissions trapped in atmosphere that causes correspondence changes in climate. These changes are rapid in the global atmosphere over a relatively short period of time, and becoming more prevalent in the world presently. There are numerous records that show that our world as a whole is getting incredibly warmer, poor health conditions, strangulated economy, and environmental degradation. Some say the world will end in water due to melting ice, some say it will end in fire as a result of radiation. From my observation and understanding, I hold with those who favor fire. Global warming affects human health, the world economy, our environment, and the planet as a whole. Health is the general...
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...Global Environmental Change 17 (2007) 445–459 Barriers perceived to engaging with climate change among the UK public and their policy implications Irene Lorenzonia,b,������, Sophie Nicholson-Coleb, Lorraine Whitmarshb a School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK b Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK Received 25 August 2006; received in revised form 12 January 2007; accepted 17 January 2007 Abstract This paper reports on the barriers that members of the UK public perceive to engaging with climate change. It draws upon three mixed-method studies, with an emphasis on the qualitative data which offer an in-depth insight into how people make sense of climate change. The paper defines engagement as an individual’s state, comprising three elements: cognitive, affective and behavioural. A number of common barriers emerge from the three studies, which operate broadly at ‘individual’ and ‘social’ levels. These major constraints to individual engagement with climate change have implications for achieving significant reductions in greenhouse gases in the UK. We argue that targeted and tailored information provision should be supported by wider structural change to enable citizens and communities to reduce their carbon dependency. Policy implications for effective engagement are discussed. r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Climate...
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...University of Phoenix Material Biosphere Worksheet Section A: Answer the following questions in complete sentences. 1. Define biosphere. Describe the part of the biosphere where humans can survive. Biosphere can be described as our whole earth and all living entities that dwell in it. 2. Based on this week’s required readings, what are the main causes of threats to the biosphere? The main causes of threats to the biosphere revolve around all the no sustainable practices that directly affect our world; more specifically, the immediate and long-term effects of the incorrect disposal of waste. 3. Define sustainability. What do scientists predict will happen in Earth’s future if we do not increase our sustainability practices? Sustainability refers to our ability to endure and maintain. From an ecological standpoint, sustainability considers the long-term environmental and social consequences of our decisions relative to our future resource base. Scientists predict the world’s future resource base will be dramatically depleted if we cannot effectively learn how to sustain. It is equally important to note that far too many decisions that prove correct in the short term have disastrous consequences in the long term. Section B: Fill in the chart with complete sentences. For each item listed below, identify one related threat to the biosphere. Then, describe business practices that may cause this problem. Finally, describe alternative business practices that may...
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...other problems, global warming has become one of the top issues in the world. As the consequence of emitting carbon dioxide, the world’s temperature has risen from the past. Despite the fact that there is statistical evidence, there have been controversies as in how much effort should be put in to solve the issue of global warming. The seriousness of global warming is evident. “In the 20th century, the world’s average surface temperature rose by… the fastest rate in any period over the last 1,000 years.” (Source A) In the ocean, the surface temperature increased nearly 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit from about 100 years ago. (Source B) It is not only people who are affected by global warming. Nowadays, “each spring, the robins are arriving in Wisconsin several days earlier than they did a decade ago” (Source F) These significant changes to the world has alarmed people and evoked efforts to stop global warming. In order to prevent global warming from getting worse, people have put in efforts in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. States and cities are setting goals for renewable energy. In New York, the aim is to “generate 25% of the state’s energy from renewables.” (Source C) For cities, “nearly 200 mayors have pledged to curb greenhouse gases in their cities.” (Source C) It is said that the “protection and restoration of forests may be able to offset up to 20 percent of carbon dioxide emissions.” (Source A) All of these efforts can contribute to stop global warming. However, the idea of...
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